USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service, ASD, AAS, Room 2158 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700

B -- STATE PARTNERSHIP FOP HACCP EDUCATION OF SMALL PRODUCERS SOL FSIS-7-W-99 DUE 020599 POC Claudia Andrews The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) intends to issue Purchase Orders utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures to multiple State animal health agencies. The Purchase orders will be for the purpose of enhancing or developing state-level partnerships that will promote awareness and implementation of food safety and good production practices which are HACCP-compatible and reduce the risks of chemical, physical and microbial hazards in animals by those who produce, transport, market, slaughter and process meat, poultry and egg products. Small producers may not have access to food safety and good production practices information needed to maintain sustainable operations as HACCP and pathogen reduction systems are implemented in slaughter and processing plants. These small producers need to be aware of HACCP-compatible animal production (livestock, poultry and eggs) food safety practices to prevent food safety hazards from entering the food chain, and the importance of implementing food safety and quality assurance practices. The State agencies have a unique infrastructure and network to coordinate and collaborate in carrying out animal health and food safety activities at a local level. The State agencies are considered credible information sources with the knowledge of the structure and leadership of the food animal production industry and the veterinary profession in their states. They have established communication with the food animal production industry and other state level partners needed to educate and inform producers and veterinarians. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT AVAILABLE. State governmental agencies, primarily Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Extension Service systems, are the only known sources for these services. All interested concerns must identify their interest in writing and fully document their capability to meet the agency's requirements by forwarding a detailed response within 15 days of the appearance of this notice in the CBD. All responses must be in writing and may be faxed to 202-690-1814. All information from responsible sources will be considered by the Agency. If no affirmative written response is available, or is more advantageous to the Government, negotiations will take place with the State animal health agencies. Award will be contingent upon FSIS obtaining the USDA Advisory and Assistance Approval. There is no solicitation available. Posted 01/20/99 (I-SN289760). (0020)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0014 19990122\B-0005.SOL)